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Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman comes to Ruidoso

Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman, who pulled off one of the biggest
upsets of the 2000 Sydney Olympics by winning the gold medal in the 200-
meter butterfly, will travel to Ruidoso the weekend of May 20 to speak and
give swim clinics for kids at the

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It's not everyday you meet an Olympic gold medalist, but while visiting the Phoenix, Ariz. area, Ruidoso's High Altitude Aquatics swim team coach Debbie Salcido did just that.

Salcido made a connection with Olympic gold medalist Misty Hyman. The two hit it off and Hyman, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2000 Sydney Olympics by winning the gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly, will speak and offer swim clinics at the Ruidoso Athletic Club beginning Friday and ending Sunday.

Hyman will tell her Olympic story at 5 p.m. at the RAC Friday. The event is free and open to the public.

During her talk, Hyman will explore the innovation of using science and math to improve competitive times, along with how being the underdog in the butterfly taught her how to believe anything is possible.

"The speech is not just geared for swimmers and swimmers families, but to really anyone in the community who is interested in hearing that story," Hyman said.

Hyman's swim coach, Bob Gillet broke his swimmer's times down to a math equation that helped them figure out which variables gave them the most opportunity for improvement. Knowing those variables allowed the swimmer to train specifically in that area.

"He was really a pioneer and really ahead of his time," Hyman said. "He really looked at swimming in a different way."

Hyman began swimming in an effort to overcome childhood asthma. She began to dream of being an Olympian at a young age and carried that desire with her all through her training.

Children often have big dreams, but Hyman showed a special spark even at an early age. She broke a state record at just 10-years-old in the 50-yard butterfly.

She said that was a pivotal moment when she thought, "Wow, Maybe I really do have what it takes."

Hyman said the clinic will be "fun and informative" and she will teach how to make short-term, step-by-step goals that focus on being better at each event, along with improving technique.

"We'll be talking about how to make the butterfly easier," Hyman said. "Most people don't associate easy and butterfly in the same sentence. I'll be focusing on different skills and drills they can do to make the butterfly easier. I'll also focus on the underwater dolphin kick which is one of the things my coach and I worked on that is kind of innovative."

In addition to teaching clinics and public speaking, Hyman is now the senior assistant coach for the Arizona State University swimming program, where she works alongside Olympic swim coach Bob Bowman.

"There will be something for everyone and something different than you expect," Hyman said about the event.

The clinics are open to any area swimmers in a variety of age groups and skill levels. The RAC is located at 415 Wingfield Street. The first clinic begins at 8 a.m. Saturday. To register, visit mistyhyman.acuityscheduling.com, click the Ruidoso Swim Clinic heading.